How Addiction Nurses View Medication Assisted Treatment in Detox

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in detox settings remains a controversial topic despite its proven success.

Some view it as a miracle cure, while others see it as simply trading one addiction for another. Patients often stabilize during detox, but cravings may not fully go away.

Nurses on the frontlines see beyond these surface-level arguments. They see the patients. They see the struggles. And they know the hard reality that medication assisted treatment is just the first step in a long recovery.

MAT in Detox Is Not a Miracle Cure

Debates about MAT often focus on reducing cravings and the risk of relapse. Yes, these medications can assist to accomplish these goals.

However, it’s important to note that the aim of MAT in detox is to stabilize the body during withdrawal. Like harm reduction practices that support safe withdrawal, MAT isn’t designed to eliminate every urge or heal every emotion.

Instead, the prescriptions create normalcy, so the user can work on learning how to manage the challenging urges and emotions without substance abuse. 

The bottom line, medications used in detox don’t eliminate the desire altogether. Nurses often encounter patients who believe the treatment isn’t working because they still have the urge to use substances. But this is part of the recovery process. 

While taking the medication, the individual must still attend therapy sessions to develop relapse-prevention skills, learn how to cope with emotions in healthy ways, and manage cravings.

Medications like buprenorphine are only one tool for this process, not an overall cure. 

MAT Is More Than Drug Replacement

Addiction nurses also get a frontline perspective on addiction vs. MAT. While both may involve the ingestion of opioids, there are distinct differences.

Addiction involves escalating harm and loss of control. In contrast, MAT increases stability and reduces risk of harm. 

The medications reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms by partially activating opioid receptors during detox.

When taken as prescribed and maintained for the duration of the program, these medications address the physical side of addiction, so the individual is stable enough to work on their long-term behavioral and emotional recovery.

Frontline nurses and other practitioners are making efforts to educate patients and the public about the nuances of MAT. They hope to make treatment expectations realistic and guide more patients to start their long-term recoveries.

Start Detox and MAT Treatment Safely

Remember that MAT doesn’t operate in a vacuum. As patients move through detox and withdrawal management, they often combine MAT with therapy and peer support groups.

That way, you won’t feel alone. Search detox.com’s directory to find a detox center or call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) to speak with a treatment specialist today.